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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 116 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  2. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  3. Because of the accident, he'll have a limp for the ________________ of his life.
  4. Thanks to his efforts, he attained his ________________.
  5. She's sitting on a gold ________________.
  6. I met an old friend of ________________ the other day.
  7. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  8. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  9. He was blown up by a land ________________.
  10. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  11. A valuable ________________ decreases in value if it is damaged.
  12. He works in a ________________ mill.
  13. Why would I ________________ to a disabled ramp?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  16. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  17. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  18. We ________________ that the plan would end in failure.
  19. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  20. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  21. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  22. She's very handy with a ________________.
  23. The ________________ of the members were all out of tune.
  24. I would like to have a ________________ here.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. staff — employees
  3. rest — what's left
  4. object — an aim
  5. mine — for digging
  6. mine — belonging to me
  7. calf — of the leg
  8. ruler — a monarch
  9. mine — an explosive
  10. staff — employees
  11. object — a thing
  12. saw — the tool
  13. object — to protest
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. calf — a young animal
  16. staff — a stick
  17. rock — to move gently
  18. saw — past of 'see'
  19. rock — music
  20. rock — a stone
  21. ruler — for measuring
  22. saw — the tool
  23. rest — what's left
  24. rest — a break

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com